Kurata



Feb. 14, 1956 F. KURATA ATOMIZING NOZZLE Filed Oct. 4, 1948 FIG.2

FIG.

\U QQ a w a a w V INVENTOR. FRED KURATA BY: Z

ATTORNEY United States Patent ATOMIZING NOZZLE Fred Kurata, Lawrence, Kans., assignor to Kask Technical Corporation, Jackson Heights, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 4, 1948, Serial No. 52,659

4 Claims. (Cl. 299-25) The present invention relates to nozzles for atomizing liquids. Particularly in one aspect to such a nozzle in which a mechanically actuated vibrating member is employed to bring about the desired degree of atomization. This application is a continuation-in-pait of my co-pending application Serial No. 533,720, filed May 2, 1944, now abandoned, in which automatic vibration of a valve member causes atomization of the liquid issuing from the nozzle. Attention is directed to applicants prior and copending application Serial No. 27,924, filed May 19, 1948, now Patent No. 2,577,853, in which patent is disclosed an atomizing nozzle having a valve member which is vibrated by an electromagnet means, such as a solenoid core operated by a pulsating current.

In the commercial atomizing nozzles on the market today in which pressure alone is employed as the atomizing force as contrasted with those in which a gas under pressure is used as the propelling and disruptive agency, the atomization of the liquid is produced by subjecting it to a whirling action before ejecting it from an orifice of the desired shape and size. The whirling motion is imparted to the liquid by passing it under pressure through a chamber of special construction.

It is an object of the present invention to produce an atomizing nozzle of a design radically diflerent from that discussed above.

It is further object of this invention to produce an atomizing nozzle in which a much lower fluid pressure is required to obtain a certain degree of'atomization than is the case with the presently-known types of atomizing nozzles.

Itis still another object of the invention to provide an atomizing nozzle of a construction which brings about a more eflicient atomization of liquids than those presently in use.

A still further object of the present invention is to producean atomizing nozzle in which the degree of atomization of the liquid can be readily varied within Wide limits.

Other .and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

Figure l is a cross-sectional view of the invention in which rapid vibration of a valve member of a nozzle is produced by a positively acting external force and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the device illustrated in Figure 1.

According to Figure 1 of the drawing, numeral generally denotes the body structure of the device on this invention including both the structure enclosing a portion of the vibration producing means and the structure enclosing the nozzleproper. The portion containing the vibration producing means, whose specific structure will be fully described hereinafter, consists of a circular casing 11 having a threaded boss portion 12 at one end, a flange 14 at the other end and a chamber 29. A cover member 13 is secured to flange 14 by any conventional means and said cover member 13 has an aperture 15; locat ed at its center.

2,734,779 Patented Feb. 14, 1956 The threaded boss portion 12 of casing 11 is received in a threaded counterbore 16 at the upper end of a structure 17 forming the body .portion of the nozzle proper. A flexible diaphragm 18 is positioned on the shoulder of the counterbore 16 of body portion 17 and is held firmly in place by boss portion 12. Diaphragm 18 serves to separate and seal the nozzle section from the vibration producing means in order to prevent liquid from passing between these sections. The body portion 17 of the nozble contains a chamber 19 which is preferably of circular cross-section and which narrows to a cylindrical discharge orifice 20 of smaller circular dimension. Liquid under pressure is supplied to chamber 19 by means of a conduit 21 entering the side thereof and connected thereto by suitable means, for example by threading as shown in the drawings, and communicating with any suitable pressure source. As stated above, the liquid under pressure is prevented from reaching the vibration producing portion of the structure by diaphragm 18.

Located centrally of chamber 19 and discharge orifice 20 and extending laterally thereof is a valve member 22 having an enlarged comically-shaped head portion 23 and a stem portion 24 of such dimension that there is sufficient clearance between said stem 24 and the Walls of the discharge orifice 20 that liquid will be readily discharged. The enlarged head portion 23 of the valve member 22 is normally seated upon the outer edge of discharge orifice 20 making a knife edge or line contact therewith.

The force with which the valve member 22 is seated may be controlled by a cylindrical-helical spring 25 one end of Whichbears against a recess 26 in the body portion 17 of the nozzle and the other end of which bears against the underside of an adjustable washer nut 27 positioned upon a threaded end 28 of the valve stem 24.

The nozzle side of the flexible diaphragm 18 rests upon the threaded end 28 of the valve stem 24.

Now referring with particularity to the mechanically vibration producing means, numeral 30 denotes a helical spring of the usual construction positioned within chamber 29 and resting on a push rod 31 having a flat head portion 32. The other end of spring 30 surrounds the threaded end 34 of a shaft 33 and bears against an ad justable washer nut 35 on threaded end 34. Shaft 33 extends through aperture 15 of cover member 13 which is of such dimension to allow free longitudinal movement of shaft 33. Numeral 36 denotes a guide member for push rod 31.

Shaft 33 is connected to a pitman 37 by pin 38 to make a pivotal joint. The other end of pitman 37 is connected to a rotatable wheel or disk 39'by means of pin 40 making a pivotal joint. Rotatable member 39 is centrally fixed to an axle 41 which is rotated by conventional means, such as motor 42.

In operation axle 41 is rotated at high rate by a motor 42. This in turn revolves disk 39 which causes a reciproeating motion of shaft 33 which is connected to disk 39 by means of pitman 37. The reciprocating motion of shaft 33 causes a vibration of spring 30 which also causes vibration of push rod 31 and valve member 22. The frequency of vibration of valve member 22 and valve head 23 on orifice 20 is determined by the number of revolutions per minute of disk 39. The vibrating action of valve member 22 in orifice 20 results in the transformation of liquid issuing from orifice 26} into a fine spray. When shaft 33 extends inside casing 11 the maximum'distance, orifice 20 is open; and when shaft 33 extends inside casing 11 the minimum distance orifice 20 may be substantially closed by the seating of valve head 23.

Figure 2 of the drawing illustrates a modification of the device illustrated in Figure 1. In general the structure ofthe modification of Figure 2 is substantially the same as that of Figure 1, and therefore a detailed description will not be necessary. Numeral 50 generally denotes the body structure of the device of this invention comprising a nozzle portion 51 and a portion 61 which houses a portion of the vibration producing. means.

The end of housing 61 is threaded and is received in a threaded counterbore 53 at one end of nozzle portion 51. A flexible diaphragm 54 is positioned on the shoulder of the counterbore 53 of body portion 51 and is held firmly in place by structure 61 so as to seal the nozzle portion 51 from housing 61.

As in Figure l, the nozzle portion 51 of Figure 2 contains a cylindrical orifice or aperture 55 in the end thereof,

a chamber 52, and a valve member 56 having a conicallyshaped head 57 seated on the outer edge of the orifice 55 making line contact therewith. A cylindrical-helical spring 58 surrounds valve member 56 and has one end pressing against an adjustable washer nut 65} fitted on threaded end 59 of valve member 56, and the other end resting on shoulder 62 of nozzle portion 51. End 59 of valve member 56 rests against diaphragm 54.

Structure 61 contains a shaft 63 which rests on diaphragm 54 and projects through an aperture 64. Numeral 65 designates a guide member which together with aperture 64 guides the movement of shaft 63. A rotatable cam 66 contacts the end of shaft 63 and causes it to vibrate longitudinally. The vibration of shaft 63 in turn vibrates valve member 56 and causes the atomization of the liquid in a manner similar to that described with respect to Figure 1. Cam 66 is suitably connected'to a shaft 67 and a motor 68.

Nozzle portion 51 is threaded to receive a conduit 67 supplying liquid under pressure to chamber 52.

The rotatable cam 66 of Figure 2 may be substituted for the vibrating mechanism of Figure 1 without departing from the scope of this invention. In such modification of the device of Figure 1, a rotatable cam vibrates shaft 33.

Although the valve head of the valve member is preferably conical it may be spherical, if desired. In each instance the spring has been described and shown as a cylindrical-helical spring; however other conventional type springs may obviously be used Without departing from the scope of the invention.

In both of the above described embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 of the invention, it is inevitable that a certain degree of erosion will occur in the valve and the seat because of vibration. Therefore, if the parts are constructed of relatively soft material it is necessary that inserts of harder material be employed in connection with these parts. However, it is to be understood that the various materials used form no part of this. invention, and in every case any suitable material may be selected.

It is to be understood that the essence of the present invention is the employment of a mechanically actuated vibrating member for atomization of a liquid, and it is realized that there are many available ways other than those specifically disclosed herein for mechanically vibrating the valve member. Although the valve member has been shown as positioned within the chamber of the nozzle, the valve member may be positioned external of the nozzle and the vibrating mechanism suitably positioned to vibrate the external valve member. For example, the valve member may be positioned directly above the orifice as shown in Figure 1 of my application Serial No. 533,720.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An atomizing nozzle comprising a body portion having a chamber within said body portion and a stationary outlet orifice having an edged seat on the downstream side, said orifice being of smaller cross-sectional dimension and shorter than said chamber, a flexible diaphragm positioned in said chamber and separating said chamber into a nozzle portion including said orifice and a housing portion, a valve member positioned within the nozzle portion of said chamber having one end 4 resting against said diaphragm and the other end seating on said edged seat of said outlet orifice, said valve member passing through said orifice into said chamber of said body portion forming a continuous annular passageway between said valve member and said outlet orifice communicating with said chamber, a first spring positioned within the nozzle portion of said chamber urging said valve member against the edged seat of said outlet orifice, a second spring having one end cooperating with one end of said valve member, a reciprocating member positioned within the housing portion of said chamber pressing against the other end of said second spring, and means separate from said body portion of said nozzle for reciprocating said reciprocating member.

2. An atomizing nozzle comprising a body portion having a chamber within said body portion and a stationary outlet orifice of smaller cross-sectional dimension and shorter than said chamber and having an edged seat on the downstream side, a valve member having one end seated on said edged seat of said stationary outlet orifice and passing through said outlet orifice into said chamber of said body portion forming a continuous annular passageway between said valve member and the walls of said outlet orifice communicating with said chamber, a first spring positioned within said chamber of said body portion directly urging said valve member against the edged seat of said outlet orifice, a second spring having one end cooperating with one end of said valve member, a reciprocating member pressing against the other end of said second spring, and means separate from said body portion of said nozzle for reciprocating said reciprocating member.

3. An atomizing nozzle comprising a body portion having a chamber within said body portion and a stationary cylindrical outlet orifice, said orifice being of'smaller cross-sectional dimension and shorter than said chamber, a flexible diaphragm positioned in said chamber and separating said chamber into a nozzle portion including said orifice and a housing portion, a closed valve member positioned within the nozzle portion of said chamber having one end comprising a comically-shaped valve head seating on the downstream edge of said cylindrical outlet orifice, said valve member passing through said orifice into said chamber of said body portion forming a continuous annular passageway between said valve member and said outlet orifice communicating with said chamber, a spring positioned within the nozzle portion of said chamber urging the head of said valve member against the downstream edge of said outlet orifice, a first reciprocating member positioned within the housing portion of said chamber having one end resting againstsaid diaphragm, a spring positioned within the housing portion of said chamber pressing against the other end of said first reciprocating member, a second reciprocating'member pressing against the other end of said spring, a rotatable member, and means for connecting said second reciprocating member to the outer edge of said rotatable memher.

4. An atomizing nozzle comprising a body portion having a chamber within said body portion and a stationary outlet orifice of smaller cross-sectional dimension and shorter than said chamber, and having an edged seat'on the downstream side, a valve member having one end seated on saidedged seat of said stationary outlet orifice and passing through said outlet orifice into said chamber of said body portion forming a continuous annular passageway between said valve member and the walls of said outletcrifice communicating with said chamber, a first spring positioned within said chamber of said body portion directly urging said valve member against the,

edged seat of said outlet orifice, a second spring having one end cooperating with one end of said valve member, a reciprocating member pressing against-the other end of said second spring, a rotatable member, and means connecting said reciprocating inember to the outer edge 1,898,572 Ragatz Feb. 21, 1933 of said rotatable member. 2,075,600 Baker Mar. 30, 1937 2,165,696 Charter July 11, 1939 References Cited in the file of this patent 2,255,203 Wiegand Sept. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,577,853 Kurata D60. 11, 1951 1,393,090 Cowardin et a1. 001. 11, 1921 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,511,425 Roucka Oc 14, 19 4 549,124 Germany Apr. 23, 1932 1,771,875 Cowardin et a1. J y 29, 1930 789,647 France Nov. 4, 1935 

